Fertility,genome stability,and homozygosity in a diverse set of resynthesized rapeseed lines

Rapeseed(Brassica napus,AACC)was formed by hybridization between progenitor species Brassica rapa(AA)and Brassica oleracea(CC).As a result of a limited number of hybridization events between specific progenitor genotypes and strong breeding selection for oil quality traits,rapeseed has limited genetic diversity.The production of resynthesized B.napus lines via interspecific hybridization of the diploid progenitor species B.rapa and B.oleracea is one possible way to increase genetic variation in rapeseed.However,most resynthesized lines produced so far have been reported to be meiotically unstable and infertile,in contrast to established B.napus cultivars.This hinders both maintenance and use of this germplasm in breeding programs.We characterized a large set of 140 resynthesized lines produced by crosses between B.rapa and B.oleracea,as well as between B.rapa and wild C genome species(B.incana,B.hilarionis,B.montana,B.Bourgeaui,B.villosa and B.cretica)for purity(homozygosity),fertility,and genome stability.Self-pollinated seed set,seeds per ten pods as well as percentage pollen viability were used to estimate fertility.SNP genotyping was performed using the Illumina Infinium Brassica 60K array for 116 genotypes,with at least three individuals per line.Most of the material which had been advanced through multiple generations was no longer pure,with heterozygosity detected corresponding to unknown parental contributions via outcrossing.Fertility and genome stability were both genotypedependent.Most lines had high numbers of copy number variants(CNVs),indicative of meiotic instability,and high numbers of CNVs were significantly associated with reduced fertility.Eight putatively stable resynthesized B.napus lines were observed.Further investigation of these lines may reveal the mechanisms underlying this effect.Our results suggest that selection of stable resynthesized lines for breeding purposes is possible.

Soil-plant co-stimulation during forest vegetation restoration in a subtropical area of southern China

Background: Soil and vegetation have a direct impact on the process and direction of plant community succession, and determine the structure, function, and productivity of ecosystems. However, little is known about the synergistic influence of soil physicochemical properties and vegetation features on vegetation restoration. The aim of this study was to investigate the co-evolution of soil physicochemical properties and vegetation features in the process of vegetation restoration, and to distinguish the primary and secondary relationships between soil and vegetation in their collaborative effects on promoting vegetation restoration in a subtropical area of China.Methods: Soil samples were collected to 40 cm in four distinct plant communities along a restoration gradient from herb(4–5 years), to shrub(11–12 years), to Pinus massoniana coniferous and broadleaved mixed forest(45–46 years), and to evergreen broadleaved forest(old growth forest). Measurements were taken of the soil physicochemical properties and Shannon–Wiener index(SD), diameter at breast height(DBH), height(H), and biomass. Principal component analysis, linear function analysis, and variation partitioning analysis were then performed to prioritize the relative importance of the leading factors affecting vegetation restoration.Results: Soil physicochemical properties and vegetation features showed a significant trend of improvement across the vegetation restoration gradient, reflected mainly in the high response rates of soil organic carbon(SOC)(140.76%), total nitrogen(TN)(222.48%), total phosphorus(TP)(59.54%), alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen(AN)(544.65%),available phosphorus(AP)(53.28%), species diversity(86.3%), biomass(2906.52%), DBH(128.11%), and H(596.97%).The soil properties(pH, SOC, TN, AN, and TP) and vegetation features(biomass, DBH, and H) had a clear coevolutionary relationship over the course of restoration. The synergistic interaction between soil properties and vegetation features had the greatest effect on biomass(55.55%–72.37%), and the soil properties contributed secondarily(3.30%–31.44%). The main impact factors of biomass varied with the restoration periods.Conclusions: In the process of vegetation restoration, soil and vegetation promoted each other. Vegetation restoration was the cumulative result of changes in soil fertility and vegetation features.

Climate change effects in the Western Himalayan ecosystems of India: evidence and strategies

Background： The fragile landscapes of the Himalayan region are highly susceptible to natural hazards, and there is ongoing concern about current and potential climate change impacts. This study provides background information on India＇s Western Himalayas and reviews evidence of warming as well as variability in precipitation and extreme events.Methods： Understanding and anticipating the impacts of climate change on Himalayan forest ecosystems and the services they provide to people are critical. Efforts to develop and implement effective policies and management strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation requires particular new research initiatives. The various studies initiated and conducted in the region are compiled here.Results： Several new initiatives taken by the Himalayan Forest Research Institute in Shimla are described. This includes new permanent observational field studies, some with mapped trees, in high altitude transitional zones for continuous monitoring of vegetation response. We have also presented new strategies for mitigating potential climate change effects in Himalayan forest ecosystems.Conclusions： Assessment of the ecological and genetic diversity of the Himalayan conifers is required to evaluate potential responses to changing climatic conditions. Conservation strategies for the important temperate medicinal plants need to be developed. The impact of climate change on insects and pathogens in the Himalayas also need to be assessed. Coordinated efforts are necessary to develop effective strategies for adaptation and mitigation.

Effect of canopy gap size and ecological factors on species diversity and beech seedlings in managed beech stands in Hyrcanian forests

We studied the species diversity of the herb layer and ecological factors in harvest-created gaps in beech stands under a single-tree selection system in Northern Iran. To determine diversity, the number of beech seedlings, and other ecological factors, 16 gaps were selected and subplots of 5 m2 were positioned at the centre and at the cardinal points of each gap. Species richness and Simpson diversity index increased with increasing gap area as did numbers of seedlings. With increasing humus layer thickness, species richness declined but the Hill evenness index increased. Species richness increased with increasing light availability. There was no relationship between crown radii of beech trees and diversity indices. Correlations between environmental factors and numbers of individuals of some species in the herb layer were not significant except in a few cases. The results help explain the effects of man-made gaps on the dynamics of managed beech stands and this benefits evaluation of silvicultural operating plans.

Effect of canopy composition on soil CO_2 emission in a mixed sprucebeech forest at Solling,Central Germany

It was hypothesized that soil respiration can be affected by canopy composition. Hence, admixture of trees as a common forest management practice may cause significant change in the carbon cycling. This study was conducted in a mixed spruce-beech stand at Solling forest in central Germany to investigate the effect of canopy composition on soil respiration. The canopy cover was classified in four major canopy classes （pure beech, pure spruce, mixed and gap）, and the area under each canopy class was identified as a sub-plot. Soil respiration in each sub-plot （n=4） was measured monthly from Jun 2005 to July 2006. Results show significant difference in annual soil respiration between the beech （359g·m^-2·a^-1 C） and gap （211 g·m^-2·a^-1 C） sub-plots. The estimation of the total below-ground carbon allocation （TBCA） based on a model given by Raich and Nadelhoffer revealed considerably higher root CO2 production in the beech sub-plot （231 g·m^-2·a^-1 C） compare to the gap sub-plot （51 g·m^-2·a^-1 C ）. The contribution of the root respiration to the total soil respiration was higher in the soil under the beech canopy （59%） compared with the soil in the gap （29%）. The findings suggested that the condition under the beech canopy may cause more desirable micro-site for autotrophic respiration and consequently higher CO2 release into the atmosphere.

Effects of variation in seed sources and pre-sowing treatments on seed germination of Tamarindus indica: a multi-purpose tree species in Bangladesh

We investigated the morphology and germination of Tamarindus indica seeds in order to discover the ef- fects of variation in seed sources and pre-sowing treatments on germination. The experiment was carried out in the nursery of the Forestry and Wood Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Bangladesh. Seeds were collected from different but healthy trees from various locations in Bangladesh and subjected to four pre-sowing treatments, i.e., control, immersion in cold water （4℃ for 24 h）, immersion in hot water （80℃ for 10 min） and scarification with sand paper. Seed germination was carried out in poly-bags with a mixture of topsoil and cow dung in the ratio of 3：1. The average length of the fresh seeds was 1.35 ＋ 0.26 cm, their width 1.07 ＋ 0.20 cm and thickness 0.69 ＋ 0.11 cm. The results revealed that pre-sowing treatments affected the germination process of seeds, which significantly increased the germination percentage with the cold water （81.67%） and scarification with sand paper （82.33%） treatments, compared with those in the control （58.33%） and hot water treatment （59.00%）. In all treatments germination started on average within 5 to 7 days after the start of the treatments and were completed from 13 to 19 days later. The greatest success in germination （82.33%） was found in scarification with sand paper, followed with 81.67% in the cold water treatment. The results of analyses of variance （ANOVA） showed significant differences （p 〈 0.05） in germination closing dates, seed germination periods and germination percentages among the treatments but no significant difference among seed sources. However, the effect of the interaction between seed source variation and pre-treatment differed significantly in seed germination closing dates and germination percentages. We recommend cold water treatment （submersion of seed at a temperature of 4℃ for a 24-h period） for seed germination of T. indica in rural Bangladesh.

Impact of the antiproliferative agent ciclopirox olamine treatment on stem cells proteome

AIM:To investigate the proteome changes of stem cells due to ciclopirox olamine (CPX) treatment compared to control and retinoic acid treated cells. METHODS:Stem cells (SCs) are cells, which have the ability to continuously divide and differentiate into various other kinds of cells. Murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and multipotent adult germline stem cells (maG-SCs) were treated with CPX, which has been shown to have an antiproliferative effect on stem cells, and compared to stem cells treated with retinoic acid (RA),which is known to have a differentiating effect on stem cells. Classical proteomic techniques like 2-D gel electrophoresis and differential in-gel electrophoresis (DIGE) were used to generate 2D protein maps from stem cells treated with RA or CPX as well as from non-treated stem cells. The resulting 2D gels were scanned and the digitalized images were collated with the help of Delta 2D software. The differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by a MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometer, and the identified proteins were investigated and categorized using bioinformatics. RESULTS:Treatment of stem cells with CPX, a synthetic antifungal clinically used to treat superficial mycoses, resulted in an antiproliferative effect in vitro, without impairment of pluripotency. To understand the mechanisms induced by CPX treatments which results in arrest of cell cycle without any marked effect on pluripotency, a comparative proteomics study was conducted. The obtained data revealed that the CPX impact on cell proliferation was accompanied with a significant alteration in stem cell proteome. By peptide mass fingerprinting and tandem mass spectrometry combined with searches of protein sequence databases, a set of 316 proteins was identified, corresponding to a library of 125 non-redundant proteins. With proteomic analysis of ESCs and maGSCs treated with CPX and RA, we could identify more than 90 single proteins, which were differently expressed in both cell lines. We could highlight, that CPX treatment of stem cells, with subsequent proliferation inhibition, resulted in an alteration of the expression of 56 proteins compared to nontreated cells, and 54 proteins compared to RA treated cells. Bioinformatics analysis of the regulated proteins demonstrated their involvement in various biological processes. To our interest, a number of proteins have potential roles in the regulation of cell proliferation either directly or indirectly. Furthermore the classification of the altered polypeptides according to their main known/postulated functions revealed that the majority of these proteins are involved in molecular functions like nucleotide binding and metal ion binding, and biological processes like nucleotide biosynthetic processes, gene expression, embryonic development, regulation of transcription, cell cycle processes, RNA and mRNA processing. Proteins, which are involved in nucleotide biosynthetic process and proteolysis, were downregulated in CPX treated cells compared to control, as well as in RA treated cells, which may explain the cell cycle arrest. Moreover, proteins which were involved in cell death, positive regulation of biosynthetic process, response to organic substance, glycolysis, anti-apoptosis, and phosphorylation were downregulated in RA treated cells compared to control and CPX treated cells. CONCLUSION:The CPX treatment of SCs results in downregulation of nucleotide binding proteins and leads to cell cycle stop without impairment of pluripotency.

Left atrial physiology and pathophysiology:Role of deformation imaging

The left atrium(LA) acts as a modulator of left ventricular(LV) filling. Although there is considerable evidence to support the use of LA maximum and minimum volumes for disease prediction,theoretical considerations and a growing body of literature suggest to focus on the quantification of the three basic LA functions:(1) Reservoir function:collection of pulmonary venous return during LV systole;(2) Conduit function:passage of blood to the left ventricle during early LV diastole; and(3) Contractile booster pump function(augmentation of ventricular filling during late LV diastole. Tremendous advances in our ability to non-invasively characterize all three elements of atrial function include speckle tracking echocardiography(STE),and more recently cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking(CMR-FT). Corresponding imaging biomarkers are increasingly recognized to have incremental roles in determining prognosis and risk stratification in cardiac dysfunction of different origins. The current editorial introduces the role of STE and CMR-FT for the functional assessment of LA deformation as determined by strain and strain rate imaging and provides an outlook of how this exciting field may develop in the future.

Diversity and production in an Afromontane Forest

Background：This contribution evaluates the effect of forest structure and tree species diversity on plot productivity and individual tree growth in the unique Knysna forests in Southern Africa using mapped tree data from an observational study that has been re-measured over a period of 40 years.Methods：The effects of tree species diversity and forest structure on tree growth and forest production are evaluated on three levels of resolution：a） the forest community（canopy,sub-canopy species）,b） the subplots（number of trees per ha,skewness of the diameter distribution,diameter coefficient of variation） and c） the immediate neighborhood of selected reference trees（＂Mingling＂,＂Dominance＂,Aggregation＂ and ＂Size Variation＂）.Results：An analysis of the community level identified two distinct clusters,one including dominant/canopy species with the highest growth rates and a greater variation of growth,and another cluster which includes the remaining subcanopy species which have a smaller maximum size and lower rates of growth.The area-based structure variables on plot level have a highly significant effect on total basal area growth.However,the effects of forest density and species richness on productivity were not straight forward.Maximum basal area production of about 0.75 m^2/ha/year is achieved at medium levels of richness（around 20 species per ha） and medium levels of density（around 30 m^2/ha basal area） using percentile regression estimates.The relative ＂Dominance＂ of a selected reference tree had a highly significant effect on individual tree growth on all investigated species.Other neighbourhood structure variables were only occasionally significant or not significant at all.Conclusion：This contribution presents a new theoretical framework for analysing natural forests that includes community,plot and neighborhood variables of forest structure and diversity,and a first specific analysis of the structure and dynamics of the Knysna Afromontane Forest,based on a unique set of longterm observations.The species-area（SAR） model developed in this study,represents a new general approach that can be used to derive a common standard of tree species diversity for different plot sizes,the species richness per hectare.

Modeling the regional grazing impact on vegetation carbon sequestration ability in Temperate Eurasian Steppe

Anthropogenic activities profoundly influence carbon sequestration in the Eurasian Steppe. In particular, grazing has been identified as having a major effect on carbon sequestration. However, the extent to which grazing affects regional patterns or carbon sequestration is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the impact of regional grazing on grassland carbon seques- tration using the Boreal Ecosystem Productivity Simulator （BEPS） and the Shiyomi grazing model. Model performances were validated against the results from field measurements and eddy covariance （EC） sites. Model outputs showed that in 2008, the regional net primary productivity （NPP） was 79.5 g C m-2, and the net ecosystem productivity （NEP） was -6.5 g C m-2, characterizing the region as a Weak carbon source. The Mongol Steppe （MS） was identified as a carbon sink, whereas the Kazakh Steppe （KS） was either carbon neutral or a weak carbon source. The spatial patterns of grazing density are divergent between the MS and the KS. in the MS, livestock was mainly distributed in China with relatively good management, while in the KS livestock was mainly concentrated in the southern countries （especially Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan） with harsh environments and poor management. The consumption percentages of NPP in Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were 5.3, 3.3 and 1.2%, respectively, whereas the percentages in other countries were lower than 1%. Correspondingly, grazing consumption contributed to the carbon sources of Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by 11.6, 6.3 and 4.3%, respectively, while it weakened the carbon sink in Inner Mongolia, China and Mongolia by 1.6 and 0.5%. This regional pattern should be affected by different sub-regional characteristics, e.g., the continuous degradation of grassland in the southern part of the KS and the restoration of grassland in Inner Mongolia, China.

Diversity, abundance, and structure of tree communities in the Uluguru forests in the Morogoro region, Tanzania

Uluguru forests are globally recognized as important biodiversity hotspots, but anthropogenic pressure threatens their value. This study examined species diver- sity, abundance, and structure of trees in the Uluguru for- ests. All trees of diameter at breast height （DBH） 〉 10 cm were inventoried in seven forests ranging from 3 to 995 ha in area. A total of 900 stems, 101 species and 34 families were inventoried. Fabaceae was the most speciose family. Ehretia amoena Klotzsch was the most abundant species with relative abundance of 9.22 %. The forests differed significantly in species richness （26-93 species ha-l）, tree density （85-390 stems ha-l）, basal area （3-24 m2 ha-1） and Shannon-Wiener diversity （2.50--4.02）. Forest area was significantly and positively correlated with species richness （r = 0.92） and species diversity （r = 0.95）. Tree density showed significant positive correlation with speciesrichness （r = 0.80） and basal area （r = 0.85）. Milawilila and Nemele forests had highest floristic similarity （0.55） followed by Kimboza and Kilengwe （0.54） while the rest had similarity coefficients of less than 0.50. Despite leg- islative protection, many forests remain at risk and there- fore the possibility to conserve highly valuable tree species via enhanced protection or cultivation must be considered.

Pharmacological pain management in chronic pancreatitis

Intense abdominal pain is a prominent feature of chronic pancreatitis and its treatment remains a major clinical challenge.Basic studies of pancreatic nerves and experimental human pain research have provided evidence that pain processing is abnormal in these patients and in many cases resembles that seen in neuropathic and chronic pain disorders.An important ultimate outcome of such aberrant pain processing is that once the disease has advanced and the pathophysiological processes are firmly established,the generation of pain can become self-perpetuating and independent of the initial peripheral nociceptive drive.Consequently,the management of pain by traditional methods based on nociceptive deafferentation(e.g.,surgery and visceral nerve blockade)becomes difficult and often ineffective.This novel and improved understanding of pain aetiology requires a paradigm shift in pain management of chronic pancreatitis.Modern mechanism based pain treatments taking into account altered pain processing are likely to increasingly replace invasive therapies targeting the nociceptive source,which should be reserved for special and carefully selected cases.In this review,we offer an overview of the current available pharmacological options for pain management in chronic pancreatitis.In addition,future options for pain management are discussed with special emphasis on personalized pain medicine and multidisciplinarity.

Donor defects after lymph vessel transplantation and free vascularized lymph node transfer:A comparison and evaluation of complications

BACKGROUND Secondary lymphedema after surgical interventions is a progressive,chronic disease that is still not completely curable.Over the past years,a multitude of surgical therapy options have been described.AIM To summarize the single-center complications in lymph vessel(LVTx)and free vascularized lymph node transfer(VLNT).METHODS In total,the patient collective consisted of 87 patients who were undergoing treatment for secondary leg lymphedema during the study period from March 2010 to April 2020.The data collection was performed preoperatively during consultations,as well as three weeks,six months and twelve months after surgical treatment.In the event of complications,more detailed follow-up checks were carried out.In total n=18 robot-assisted omental lymph node transplantations,n=33 supraclavicular lymph node transplantations and n=36 Lymph vessel transplantations were analyzed.An exemplary drawing is shown in Figure 1.A graphical representation of patient selection is shown in Figure 2.Robotic harvest was performed with the Da Vinci Xi Robot Systems(Intuitive Surgical,CA,United States).RESULTS In total,11 male and 76 female patients were operated on.The mean age of the patients at study entry was:omental VLNT:57.45±8.02 years;supraclavicular VLNT:49.76±4.16 years and LVTx:49.75±4.95 years.The average observation time postoperative was:omental VLNT:18±3.48 mo;supraclavicular VLNT:14.15±4.9 and LVTx:14.84±4.46 mo.In our omental VLNT,three patients showed a slight abdominal sensation of tension within the first 12 postoperative days.No other donor side morbidities occurred.No intraoperative conversion to open technique was needed.Our supraclavicular VLNT collective showed 10 lift defect morbidities with one necessary surgical intervention.In our LVTx collective,12 cases of donor side morbidity were registered.In one case,surgical intervention was necessary.CONCLUSION Concerning donor side morbidity,robot-assisted omental VLNT is clearly superior to supraclavicular lymph node transplantation and LVTx.

The Carry-Over of Mycotoxins in Products of Animal Origin with Special Regard to Its Implications for the European Food Safety Legislation

At present, carry-over research in mycotoxins experiences a change in focus. We reviewed the state-of-art knowledge regarding carry-over in aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, Fusarium toxins, patulin, ergot and citrinin. The common cooccurrence of mycotoxins demands for employment of multi-toxin analysis and poses a new challenge in reliable health hazard assessment. Synergies in adverse mycotoxin effects call for a revision of various guidance levels in feed. We found a lack of risk assessment regarding carry-over of rare mycotoxins and metabolites usually considered negligible.

Responses of Dobera glabra and Eight Co-Occurring Species to Drought and Salinity Stress at a Savanna-Scrub Ecotone:Implications in the Face of Climate Change

To quantify the resistance of different co-occurring species to drought and osmotic stress (salinity stress), plant water (Ψ) and osmotic (Ψp) potentials were measured during the dry season. We applied a pressure chamber and cryoscopy to measure Ψ and Ψp, respectively. The species revealed a wide range of responses to water stress (-0.83 to -5.8 MPa) and osmotic stress (-1.3 to -3.2 MPa) and not all plants fit closely into one or the other category. Evergreen species tended to have lower Ψ than deciduous species. Notably, Dobera glabra, well known as drought indicator tree in the region, showed the lowest Ψ (up to -5.8 MPa) and Ψp (-3.2 MPa). This indicates its outstanding drought and osmotic stress tolerance and explains its ability to thrive in drought prone areas and years. The recent expansion of A. oerfota and A. mellifera in the study area could be related to their tolerance of osmotic stress, which may imply a trend of soil salinization. The division of plant responses into categories or strategies can be valuable aid to understanding long-term plant survival and distribution, monitor site condition and predict the direction of future changes.

The fate of ^(15)N-labeled nitrogen inputs to pot cultured beech seedlings

The partitioning of nitrogen deposition among forest soil （including forest floor）, leachate and above- and belowground biomass of pot cultured beech seedlings in comparison to non-cultured treatments were investigated by adding 1.92 g.m^-2 ^15N tracer in throughfall for two successive growing seasons at a greenhouse experiment. Ammonium and nitrate depositions were simulated on four treatments （cultured and non-cultured） and each treatment was labeled with either ^15N-NH4^＋ or ^15N-NO3^-. Total recovery rates of the applied ^15N in the whole system accounted for 74.9% to 67.3% after ^15N-NH4^＋ and 85.3% to 88.1% after ^15N-NO3^-in cultured and non-cultured treatments, respectively. The main sink for both ^15N tracers was the forest soil （including forest floor）, where 34.6% to 33.7% of ^15N-NH4^＋ and 13.1% to 9.0% of ^15N-NO3^-were found in cultured and non-cultured treatments, respectively, suggesting strong immobilization of both N forms by hetero- trophic microorganisms. Nitrogen immobilization by microorganisms in the forest soil （including forest floor） was three times higher when ^15N-NH4^＋ was applied compared to ^15N-NO3^-. The preferential heterotrophic use of ammonium resulted in a two times higher retention of deposited ^15N-NH4^＋ in the forest soil as compared to plants. In contrast, nitrate immobilization in the forest soil was lower compared to plants, although statistically it was not significantly different. In total the immobilization of ammonium in the plant-soil system was about 60% higher than nitrate, indicating the importance of the N-forms deposition for retention in forest ecosystems.

Functional relationships of nodulation response and biomass production at nursery stages of two fast-growing, leguminous-multipurpose tree species in Bangladesh: Albizia saman and Leucaena leucocephala

This study was carried out to assess the relationship of the status of nodulation(i.e., the number of nodules, their shape and size) in root and biomass production of plant growth parameters(i.e., number of leaves, root and shoot lengths, root biomass and shoot biomass) in Albizia saman and Leucaena leucocephala. The assessment started 60 days after seeding. The study revealed that nodulation response and biomass production in both species showed significant differences over time(p < 0.05) in all variables except in the root-shoot ratio(oven-dry) of L. leucocephala. The study also showed significant differences(p < 0.05) in nodule formation and biomass production at the end of the study period between the two species except in the number of nodules and leaves and the green root-shoot ratio. There were strong positive correlations between nodule formation and biomass production, i.e., the number of nodules and the age of plants, the number of nodules and leaves, as well as the number of nodules and biomass(root biomass and shoot biomass) in both species. The results obtained using principal component analysis(PCA) and correlation coefficients of the different characteristics of nodulation and biomass production were similar in both species. The PCA showed that shoot biomass(shoot green weight and shoot oven-dry weight) is positively correlated with PC1(with an eigenvalue of 7.50) and root length is positively correlated with PC2(with an eigenvalue of 0.19) in the case of A. saman. In the case of L. leucocephala, the PCA revealed that root biomass(root green weight and root oven-dry weight), shoot biomass and shoot length are also positively correlated with PC1, while nodule formation and the number of leaves are positively correlated with PC2(with an eigenvalue PC1 of 6.92 and PC2 of 0.49).

Forest observational studies-an essential infrastructure for sustainable use of natural resources

This contribution complements Forest Ecosystems＇ Thematic Series on ＂Forest Observational Studies＂. We provide essential clarification regarding the definition and purpose of long-term field studies, review some of the extensive literature and discuss different approaches to collecting field data. We also describe two newly established forest observational networks that serve to illustrate the scope and diversity of forest field studies. The first is a large-scale network of forest observational studies in prominent natural forest ecosystems in China. The second example demonstrates observational studies in mixed and uneven-aged pine-oak forests which are selectively managed by local communities in Mexico. We summarize the potential for analysing and modeling forest ecosystems within interdisciplinary projects and provide argumentation in favour of long-term institutional commitment to maintaining forest observational field studies.

The effect of single-tree selction system on soil properties in an oriental beech stand of Hyrcanian forest, north of Iran

A case study was conducted in beech forests of northern Iran to determine the effect of the created gaps on some soil properties in beech stand. Changes of soil properties in small （60-150 mE）, medium （151-241 mE）, large （242-332 m^2） and very large （333-550 m^2） gaps, as well as under closed stands were studied eight years after-the gap creation. Soil samples were taken from three depths, 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm. The gaps were different from their around undisturbed stands in terms of the following soil parameters： Mg^＋2 concentration of 0-10 cm at medium gap size, bulk density of 10-20 cm at very large gap size as well as K^＋ and Ca^＋2 concentrations at 20-30 cm at small and large gap sizes, respectively. Furthermore, the size of the gaps had no effect on soil characteristics through the whole profile. Water saturation percent （Sp %） at 0-10cm as well as P and Mg^＋2 at 20--30 cm was different amongst undisturbed stands around different gap sizes. The center and the edges of the gap were different only in terms of organic carbon at the depth of 10-20 cm. Significant differences were observed between gaps and closed canopy regarding P and Ca^＋2 at depth 0--10 cm and 10-20 cm, respectively. It can be concluded that applied silvicultural system for harvesting trees which created these gaps might be suitable for conservation and forest management in the region.

Species Composition and Stand Structure of Primary and Secondary Moist Evergreen Forests in the Tanintharyi Nature Reserve (TNR) Buffer Zone, Myanmar

The habitat structure and floristic composition examined for this study are of great importance, providing a scientific baseline of information for developing a biodiversity database and in supporting crucial information for the management decision-making process of the buffer zones. The primary objective of this study was to examine the current status of species composition and stand structure of moist evergreen forests distributed in the TNR buffer zone. Forest inventory was conducted in the primary moist evergreen forest (~1 ha) and secondary moist evergreen forest (~1 ha). In the TNR buffer zone, 83 species belonging to 31 families in the primary moist evergreen forest and 86 species belonging to 32 families in the secondary moist evergreen forest were found. The most dominant families in the primary moist evergreen forest were Dipterocarpaceae, Sapindaceae, Meliaceae, Myrtaceae, and Myristicaceae;at species level;this forest was composed of Nephelium lappaceum, Myristica malabarica, Nephelium laurium, Aglaia andamanica, and Diospyros peregrine. The most dominant families in the secondary moist evergreen forest were Myrtaceae, Sapindaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myristicaceae, and Lauraceae, while Nephelium lappaceum, Syzygium claviflorum, Syzygium sp-1, Eugenia oblate, and Myristica angustifolia were the most dominant at the species level. The results of S?rensen’s similarity index based on common species (Ks) and the similarity index based on species dominance (Kd) were observed at about 55% and 75% between the primary and secondary moist evergreen forests. The basal area (51.39 m2.ha-1) of the primary moist evergreen forest was higher than that (44.50 m2.ha-1) of the secondary moist evergreen forest. Between these two forest types, the Shannon-Wiener, the Simpson and the Evenness indices were not significantly different at (p < 0.05). The total number of trees per hectare (n/ha) of the primary and secondary moist evergreen forests were 910 (±184) and 991 (±183). ?